Disclaimer: This advice can vary based on rider, preference, skill, board company, and over market changes.

If you are a beginner to skimboarding, it can be a bit tricky to choose the right skimboard because of the variety of skimboards available in the market. Shapes, along with features such as their sizes, material, and weights, etc. can vary. These factors influence the rider’s credibility, and the level of skill as a skimboarder. For experts and professional skimboarders, performing innovative tricks is important, so custom designed skimboards or a series that can hold their skills.

Length and Width:

Skimboards come in different sizes. Their length could range between 35 to 57 inches, while their width between 17.75 to 23 inches. You can follow a simple trick to choose the right size for you; place the skimboard horizontally on the floor, if its height reaches up to your chest, you can use that as a base point for going smaller or bigger depending on your style and ability. A larger skimboarder will float you more, but also prove harder to turn. A smaller board can be more responsive and maneuverable, but provide less surface area and overall float. This would leave the rider making up for that with speed and knowledge of riding the wave and board.

Thickness:

Most skimboards have either 5/8 or 3/4 board thickness. When you decide to choose the right skimboard, keep your level of skill into consideration. For example, if you are a beginner, you can choose a thick skimboard as it will glide better on the surface of the water. However, a thick skimboard will not turn and carve well because of its excessive weight. As a beginner, you should be looking to improve your gliding skill and basics, so that a 3/4 skimboard could be better you. After improving your speed, distance riding, and turns, some riders use a 5/8 skimboard to feel more response under their feet.

Weight:

The weight of the skimboard depends on many things, especially when handmade. Size, thickness, art and resin choices come into play. A lighter skimboard can be easier to maneuver and ride, but also harder to drop in certain conditions, and prove more fragile in heavy waters. You should also consider the wind in your area as well for dropping your board.

Material:

Skimboards used to ride on the waves are generally manufactured with closed-cell foam in the core. It is a highly dense foam that doesn’t absorb water and stays on the surface. To cover the inner layer, fiberglass/resin is used, which forms a robust outer layer. These carbon fiber skimboards are use by most professional skimboarders as they have higher floatation. Wooden skimboards are cheaper and are typically used to skim on flatland or for beginners in the ocean. However, fiberglass coated and carbon fiber skimboards are more durable and more effective.

Breakdown:

Skimboarding is fun, don’t be intimidated the choice of the wrong skimboard. Your style will adjust and you can also get a different one. Many shops buy used boards and trade-ins. Different brands design boards even custom, depending on their shapes, sizes, and material, etc. So, always keep your interest, level of skill, and the type of wave you will be mainly using it for.